Chapter 269: Seriousness

As Bibi wandered around Kuang Dao’s apartment, curiously exploring, Tani Akiko stole a glance at the man sitting before her and said softly, “Mr. Kuang Dao, how have you been lately?”

“Still eating, still sleeping, not dead yet,” he replied casually.

Tani Akiko smiled. He was just the same as ever.

“Sorry to bother you like this all of a sudden. Bibi said she hasn’t seen you in a long time and really wanted to visit. I hope you don’t mind.”

“There’s nothing to mind. What about you? How have you been?” Kuang Dao asked.

Tani Akiko felt taken aback, almost flattered. It was the first time he had ever asked how she was doing. Realizing this, she quickly replied, “Bibi and I have been doing well, though she often misses you.”

After some thought, Kuang Dao said, “I don’t know many people, but I’d say we’re fated to know each other. If you ever need anything, feel free to come find me. If it’s something I can do, I’ll help.”

If an ordinary man had said something like that, Tani Akiko would’ve dismissed it as mere politeness. But after spending these past few months with him, she knew this man wasn’t one for empty words. He meant what he said. Hearing this, she felt deeply moved. She was about to thank him when Kuang Dao suddenly asked, “Have those people from that real estate company been causing you any more trouble?”

Tani Akiko froze for a moment before replying, “You don’t know? That real estate company has already gone bankrupt. About half a month ago, the company’s building caught fire in the middle of the night, burning the whole structure down. The owner and several senior executives were having a meeting inside and couldn’t escape in time. They all died in the fire.”

Kuang Dao chuckled. “Burned it clean. Neat and tidy.”

After a brief hesitation, Tani Akiko asked, “Mr. Kuang Dao, was this… related to you?”

Kuang Dao waved a hand dismissively. “Had nothing to do with me.” He wasn’t lying—he had only told someone to make sure the company wouldn’t bother the mother and daughter again. What happened after that wasn’t his concern.

Hearing his response, Tani Akiko breathed a sigh of relief. While the real estate company had done terrible things, she didn’t want this man to be involved in something so horrifying.

At that moment, Bibi came running over excitedly. “Uncle Kuang Dao, your place is bigger than ours!”

“It’s gotta be big enough to house a monkey,” Kuang Dao quipped.

Bibi froze for a second, then, realizing what he meant, flushed with anger and lunged at him to settle the score.

In the past, Tani Akiko would have stepped in to stop her. But now, she simply watched with a smile as the two played around.

After some back-and-forth antics, Bibi clung to Kuang Dao’s neck and said, “Uncle Kuang Dao, your place might be a little bigger than ours, but can you move back in with us? I promise I won’t fight you for the TV anymore, okay? Ever since you moved out, Mom and I have really missed you.”

Hearing her daughter’s last sentence, Tani Akiko’s face flushed red, but she didn’t deny it.

“I’m an outsider. I can’t live at your place forever,” Kuang Dao replied. “Don’t bring it up again. But you’re welcome to come here and play whenever you like. And if anyone bullies you, just tell me—I’ll deal with them.”

Bibi’s eyes gleamed as she grinned mischievously. “Then why don’t you become my dad? That way, you won’t be an outsider anymore. Mom would be so happy too!”

Tani Akiko could no longer stay seated. Her face bright red, she scolded, “Bibi, don’t say such things!”

Kuang Dao felt a headache coming on. He couldn’t understand why this little rascal was so insistent on making him her father.

Just then, the phone suddenly rang.

Since there were no more than three people who ever called his house, Kuang Dao guessed immediately who it was. Sure enough, it was that guy.

“What’s up?”

“What? You’re inviting me over to eat zongzi? It’s the Dragon Boat Festival today? I’d completely forgotten if you hadn’t mentioned it. You really have zongzi? I haven’t eaten those in years.”

“Wait for me. I’ll head over now. You’d better save some for me, you bastard. And don’t forget to prepare the wine.”

After hanging up, Kuang Dao turned to Tani Akiko and asked, “Remember that guy named Gennai Masashi from last time? He invited me over to eat. Want to come along?”

Tani Akiko hesitated, looking interested but unsure. “Would it be too much trouble for you?”

Taking her response as agreement, Kuang Dao casually said, “It’s no trouble at all. Let’s go before that guy eats everything.” With that, he briskly walked out the door toward the garage.

Tani Akiko gave a slightly helpless smile, then proceeded to turn off the lights and close the windows and doors. Finally, she took her daughter’s hand and followed him to the car.

After about ten minutes on the road, Tani Akiko couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Kuang Dao, could you slow down a bit?” She was a little scared of how fast he was driving.

“This is slow,” Kuang Dao replied impatiently. “If I were really racing, I’d be going at least twice as fast as this.” Under Lei Yin’s influence, he had developed a fondness for street racing and had even gained some local notoriety for it.

Tani Akiko gave a wry smile. This man was just as reckless as ever.

In contrast to her unease, Bibi was visibly excited, her eyes sparkling with delight.

A drive that would normally take an hour only took Kuang Dao a little over 20 minutes.

When they got out of the car, Tani Akiko saw a two-story private residence surrounded by a quiet and comfortable environment.

After shutting the car door, Kuang Dao led them toward the residence. Too lazy to press the doorbell, he started banging on the door and shouting, “Old ghost, open up!”

Before long, the door opened, revealing a beautiful young girl around 18 or 19 years old.

She looked at Kuang Dao and asked, “Are you Gennai’s friend?”

“No kidding. Hey, kid, take care of these two.” With that, Kuang Dao walked inside as if it were his own place.

The girl, Aiko, was stunned. She had never seen such a rude man before. By the time she came to her senses, he had already disappeared inside, leaving her fuming.

Unlike the coarse Kuang Dao, Tani Akiko was polite and considerate. She bowed slightly and said, “Hello, I’m Tani Akiko, a friend of Mr. Kuang Dao. This is my daughter. I’m sorry to trouble you so late.”

“You’re too polite! You must be Gennai’s friend as well. Please, come in.” Aiko, moved by her courtesy, quickly invited them inside.

As the three entered the living room, they saw Kuang Dao sprawled on the sofa, casually peeling a large leaf-wrapped zongzi with his hands.

Nearby, Lei Yin teased him, “I didn’t think there was anything that could interest you, you bastard. I thought you’d sworn off everything except alcohol. Oh, Miss Tani is here too. Good evening.” Lei Yin stood up and greeted Tani Akiko when he noticed her.

“Sorry to intrude,” Tani Akiko said with a polite bow.

“No problem at all. The more, the merrier. Please, have a seat,” Lei Yin replied with a smile.

Aiko, who had entered last, shot a glare at the uncouth man devouring his zongzi. Kuang Dao grudgingly sat up straighter.

At that moment, Naoko, wearing an apron, emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray of zongzi.

This was Tani Akiko’s first time meeting Naoko, and she couldn’t help but be struck by her radiance. Bibi, too, stared unblinkingly at the extraordinarily beautiful older sister.

“Hello, please make yourselves at home,” Naoko said warmly, assuming that Tani Akiko and Bibi were also Lei Yin’s friends.

“Hello, sorry to intrude,” Tani Akiko replied politely, bowing slightly.

After placing the tray of zongzi on the table, Bibi curiously asked, “Big Sister, what are these?” Drawn to Naoko’s beauty and gentle demeanor, the outgoing Bibi quickly took a liking to her and spoke up.

Naoko smiled and said, “Masashi told me these are called zongzi. They’re a traditional food eaten during a Chinese festival called the Dragon Boat Festival. Let me peel one for you to try, okay?”

“Thank you, Big Sister,” Bibi replied sweetly.

Naoko found the little girl even more endearing and, with a radiant smile, sat down beside her to peel a zongzi.

Aiko, who had only recently tried them herself, found them surprisingly enjoyable and picked up another one to eat.

After peeling one for Bibi, Naoko noticed that Tani Akiko hadn’t started yet. Smiling, she said, “Please don’t be shy. Masashi brought plenty back. Give one a try.”

Tani Akiko glanced instinctively at Kuang Dao, who was wolfing down zongzi, and couldn’t help but chuckle. Following Naoko’s earlier demonstration, she picked one up and began peeling it.

Between bites, Kuang Dao asked, “Where did you get these zongzi?”

After taking a sip of beer, Lei Yin replied, “The chefs at China Tower can prepare even the grand Manchu-Han feast. A few zongzi are nothing for them. We distributed them to the Chinese exchange students earlier today. If you hadn’t left so early, you’d have gotten some too. But honestly, it’s surprising that you’d be interested in something like this.”

Kuang Dao said, “Back when I was at Shaolin Temple, the happiest time of year was the Dragon Boat Festival. We’d sit in a big group with all the senior and junior brothers, eating zongzi and chatting together. I can never forget those moments.” At this point, his rough demeanor softened, and his eyes showed a deep nostalgia.

Lei Yin glanced at him and placed an opened can of beer in front of him. “Drink as much as you want tonight; I’ll keep you company.”

Kuang Dao glared at him. “You called me all the way here just to offer me this piss-water beer?”

Bibi, dissatisfied, shouted loudly, “Uncle Kuang Dao, you’re so unhygienic! People are eating here!”

Naoko, already familiar with Kuang Dao’s unrestrained way of speaking, couldn’t help but laugh. She noticed a bit of sticky rice on Bibi’s mouth and reached out to gently wipe it away.

Lei Yin, knowing this would happen, said to Naoko, “Go grab those three bottles of liquor.”

“Okay.” Naoko stood up and walked toward the kitchen.

When she returned with three bottles of white liquor, Kuang Dao finally looked satisfied.

As the two men began drinking, Naoko turned to Bibi and asked, “Do you like it?”

Bibi nodded, her mouth still busy.

Watching her eat, Naoko couldn’t help but laugh.

After laughing, she looked up at Tani Akiko and said, “Miss Tani, Bibi is so adorable.”

Tani Akiko gazed at her daughter with a loving expression, but she replied, “She’s usually so naughty and willful; she’s a real headache.”

Naoko chuckled softly. “That’s what makes her innocent and adorable.”

Sensing that Naoko genuinely liked her, Bibi immediately took advantage of the situation and said, “Naoko-neechan, can you find time to play with me in the future?”

“Sure, of course.”

“Promise?”

“Yes, you little rascal,” Naoko replied, covering her mouth as she laughed.

“That’s mean! But Uncle Kuang Dao is worse—he always calls me a little monkey. Isn’t he terrible?” Bibi grew more indignant as she spoke, shooting an annoyed glare at Kuang Dao, who was busy drinking and eating zongzi, completely oblivious to her frustration.

Nearby, Aiko also found the little girl amusing and walked over to tease her.

Ever since Kuang Dao had moved out, Tani Akiko hadn’t experienced such a lively and warm atmosphere. She sat nearby, smiling as she watched them interact.

—

A few days later, Zhang Qian announced her departure to Lei Yin before her wounds had fully healed.

Watching her pack, Lei Yin said, “Your injuries aren’t fully healed yet. It’d be better to rest a few more days. Leaving after you’re completely recovered wouldn’t be too late.”

Zhang Qian shook her head. “The headquarters is still waiting for my report. They already know my cover has been blown, and they’ll definitely send someone else soon. I have to report back on the Andes Cult situation before they do.”

Knowing it was futile to persuade her further, Lei Yin asked, “Do you need my help to leave?”

“No, my colleagues will assist me in returning home.”

Lei Yin thought for a moment before asking, “Once this mission is over, will you go back to working for Lei Li?”

“I don’t know. I’ll follow my superior’s orders, but it’s very likely. Since you helped us again this time, they’ll prioritize considering your requests.”

“I hope so. Otherwise, that kid Lei Li will come knocking on my door again.”

At those words, Zhang Qian suddenly paused in her actions. After a moment, she asked softly, “Did he tell you that?”

Lei Yin said nonchalantly, “That kid was so smitten with you when he first saw you, his heart practically jumped out of his chest. He even swore to me that he’d win you over no matter what.”

Zhang Qian couldn’t help but laugh, then said, “You should talk some sense into him. There’s no possibility between us.”

“He’s as stubborn as a bull—he won’t listen to reason. But are you really not considering it?”

Zhang Qian smiled faintly. “People always want what they can’t have. His interest in me is only because I don’t fall for his tricks. Besides, all he’s looking for is a bed partner. He won’t be lonely. If he just says the word, women would line up to sleep with him.”

“You should know better than anyone if that’s truly the case. Honestly, though, someone like him, with his unique background, can’t marry just anyone. But this is the first time he’s been so serious about someone.”

Zhang Qian suddenly smirked. “You sound like a salesman. But don’t forget—we’ve had a one-night stand before.”

Lei Yin coughed awkwardly. Even though she had initiated it, men are usually the ones who benefit in such situations.

Seeing his rare discomfort, the beautiful agent smiled smugly.

Picking up the briefcase containing the Andes “relic,” Zhang Qian said, “Alright, I’m leaving now. Goodbye.”

Lei Yin nodded. “There’s a car outside that I just… borrowed. Use it to get out of here. Be careful.”

Zhang Qian smiled, turned, and walked out of the room.